Volkswagen Australia enhances 2019 Tiguan range

Coinciding with the launch of the new seven-seat Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, Volkswagen Australia has taken the opportunity to realign the five-seat 2019 Tiguan range, with just two permanent models on offer and a new Wolfsburg special edition.

Now priced from $42,490 plus on-road costs, the five-seat 2019 Tiguan now opens $10,500 higher than before, though Volkswagen Australia is quick to point out that the two remaining variants were previously the most popular Tiguan models. The 2019 Tiguan range arrives in dealers in October, and is now much better equipped.

Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles Product Marketing Manager Jeff Shafer says that the Tiguan has been “realigned and enhanced”.

“The 2019 Tiguan is now an even better buy than in 2016 when the then-new SUV won a slew of car of the year awards,” Mr Shafer says.

For 2019, the 132TSI Comfortline is now the entry-level grade with both the Trendline spec and 110TSI engine removed – though the latter is due to return in 2019. Both the Comfortline and Highline are powered by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine – in the 132TSI Comfortline it produces 132kW of power and 320Nm of torque, and 162kW of power and 350Nm of torque in the 162TSI Highline. Both are matched to seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions, and both are equipped with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

Pricing now starts from $42,490 plus on-road costs, making the 132TSI Comfortline $500 more than before, but it is much better equipped. 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a kick-to-open electric tailgate, keyless entry and start and electric-folding mirrors are now standard equipment. Previously standard equipment such as low-speed autonomous emergency braking, automatic headlights and wipers, tri-zone climate control and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with inbuilt satellite navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, continues as before.

The 162TSI Highline is priced from $55,490 plus on-road costs, and is now equipped with larger 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive dampers, an electrically adjustable passenger seat with memory settings, heated outer rear seats, ambient interior lighting and the previously optional Driver Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, emergency assist, traffic jam assist and adaptive high beam headlights. Equipment such as leather upholstery, a 9.2-inch infotainment system, heated front seats and ‘premium’ LED tailights remain.

Whilst it is better equipped, some option packages remain for the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. Comfortline buyers can choose a $1,400 Driver Assist Package with adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, traffic jam assist and emergency assist. The $4,000 Luxury Package continues as well, with leather upholstery with heated front seats, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory functionality and a panoramic sunroof, whilst a $3,200 Sound and Vision Package with a 360-degree parking camera, digital dials and a Dynaudio sound system can also be optioned.

Highline buyers can choose from the $3,000 Sound and Vision Package, which adds the 360-degree parking camera, digital dials and Dynaudio sound system, as well as a $2,900 R-Line Package with 20-inch alloy wheels, sports seats, a sports bodykit, a flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel and R-Line badging – an option box that many buyers already tick.

New for the 2019 Tiguan range is the $55,490 plus on-road costs Tiguan 162TSI Wolfsburg Edition, which is based on the Highline and adds the Sound and Vision Package, the R-Line Package with black 20-inch alloy wheels, tinted rear windows and a heads-up display – the first time the HUD has been offered on the Tiguan locally. The only option that Wolfsburg buyers can tick is a $2,000 panoramic glass sunroof, which Highline buyers can also choose.

Speaking about the new 2019 Tiguan Wolfsburg Edition, Mr Shafer said: “The 162TSI Highline already comprises some 50 percent of Tiguan sales. Up to 90 per cent of those customers take up the optional R-Line package.

“So devising the first Wolfsburg Edition of a Volkswagen medium SUV is very much a case of listening to what our customers want.”

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan pricing (plus on-road costs):
132TSI Comfortline 7-speed DSG 4Motion: $42,490
162TSI Highline 7-speed DSG 4Motion: $49,490
162TSI Wolfsburg Edition 7-speed DSG 4Motion: $55,490

Allspace 110TSI Comfortline 7-speed DSG: $40,490
Allspace 132TSI Comfortline 4Motion 7-speed DSG: $45,490
Allspace 110TDI Comfortline 4Motion 7-speed DSG: $46,990
Allspace 162TSI Highline 4Motion 7-speed DSG: $52,990
Allspace 140TDI Highline 4Motion 7-speed DSG: $54,490

Stay tuned to Chasing Cars for our upcoming Tiguan Allspace review.